This game is 18+
Shogun is a weekend-long freeform for 72 players, loosely set in the late 16th century in Japan. However, the game is not an historical re-enactment and, whilst inspired by the setting and time of the eponymous novel, is in no way a recreation of that story:
- The society and culture that underpin the game are a fusion of concepts from Japan, China and other book and film sources, which have been selected for their dramatic roleplaying potential and transplanted into the game setting.
- Liberties have been taken with regard to diplomatic relations between the countries in the game to allow for roleplaying opportunities.
- We have expanded the roles of female characters beyond typical historical stereotypes to support more active roles in society and greater political power and license.
- The game incorporates elements from novels, cinema and roleplaying games to take advantage of the more dynamic approach present in the fantasy action genre.
- Liberties have also been taken with the timing of certain events, principally the dates of the introduction of firearms into Japan and the arrival of Spanish, Portuguese, English and Dutch missionaries and traders, in order to enhance the capacity for conflict amongst the principal factions vying for power.
- Elements of the supernatural and/or magic have been gently incorporated into the game, subject to maintaining an appropriate game balance.
Character Gender
- In the broad historical setting that the game is set in, the concepts of non cis-binary gender identities were not really recognized by society.
- It is the intention of the writers that players are free to express the characters internal sense of gender identity or sexuality in whatever way they choose to. The assigned gender of a character is simply the perception of that character by society at large.
Your Character
All players will be required to complete a casting form in order to communicate your character preferences. Once all casting forms have been completed, players will be assigned their characters and given a short character hint. It is important that you express any concerns you may have at this time as there may be a possibility of altering the assignment of characters. Your full character sheet will be sent to you closer to the game.
Your character sheet will give you all the information regarding your character. It will include your character’s name and any titles, some general information and stats, an overview of how people see you, some background about your characters, various areas of interest, a summary of goals, any skills, abilities, or items you have, and who you know. All the information on your character sheet is from the point of view of that character and is subjective based on your own knowledge and opinion.
The information provided will give you a baseline for your character however as the game progresses your character may change and grow depending on the interactions you have. There is no right or wrong way to play but we ask you to try and step into your characters shoes for a while and connect with what they might feel, think the way they do, and behave how they would. Allow yourself to make decisions based on what your character would do.
Each character has a list of goals which may help you get started with the character. You may decide to pursue certain goals and abandon others. Sometimes you may find you have contradictory goals and you will need to decide which is the most important to your character.
There will be secrets that will be revealed in game. For this reason we ask that you are careful about what you share with other players prior to the game. Different characters will have different levels of knowledge regarding different plots and discussing plots prior to the game may spoil the experience for another player.
Your character sheet will give you everything you need to get started. We suggest you read it carefully to begin with and after that it is yours to study, transform, cry on and play. The character is yours to interpret however you wish. Feel free to ask any questions to the GMs if you are unsure of something.